Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has suggested that Formula 1 rivals Ferrari may hit the cost cap earlier than other teams as the Italian outfit continues to bring updates.
Ferrari has already brought two major upgrades to the SF-26, one in Miami and one in Barcelona. Whilst all teams are making adjustments, the Scuderia seem to be consistently putting new pieces on the table. Every team on the grid is restricted by a cost cap of $215m for anything directly affecting performance. Naturally, these upgrades will fall under that.
Speaking to media, including Motorsport Week, in Austria, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested that Ferrari ‘need to be running out of money soon’.
“On the chassis, we’re always bringing small enhancements here and there, because simply we’re always a little bit surprised that Ferrari can throw these huge updates at the car in the way they do. In my opinion, they need to be running out of money soon, cost cap money, because we can’t do that. Simply lacking the buffer and cost cap to be able to bring so many parts in the way they do.
“So hopefully that’s going to change towards the end of the season, when they won’t be able to bring any parts anymore. At least let’s say the logic would say that, and then we’re going to come with more.”
Ferrari ‘limitless’ in their upgrades
Ferrari have emerged as a serious rival for Mercedes, who were tipped as front runners before the season even started. The Italian team is 98 points away from Mercedes in the Constructor’s Championship after Austria. And Lewis Hamilton, in particular, is within touching distance of Antonelli and Russell in the Driver’s Championship.
Wolff suggested that Ferrari don’t seem to be slowing down in their upgrades. He also pointed out how quickly they were able to unveil a new engine after their ADUO was confirmed.
“The only ones who aren’t slowing down is Ferrari. I mean, between McLaren, Red Bull, and ourselves, you can see we had one big one that we introduced in Montreal. We have small parts that come in between. I think the same for Red Bull and McLaren. It’s just Ferrari, who seems to be limitless in that way.
“And then, on top, you know, they were expecting an ADUO and come with a new engine already. So they must have started developing six months ago. Same rules for everyone, hopefully.”
ADUO, or ‘Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities’, is an opportunity given to teams by the FIA to improve their engine outside of the cost cap should they be falling behind the benchmark performer. In this case, Mercedes’ engine sets the benchmark. Other teams may be offered an ADUO, if they qualify, to help even out the field.
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